India Thomas

India is the blog coordinator for Nest Box Live. She regularly contributes to the blog as well as proof-reading and editing the rest of the blog content. With her scientific background, she brings a strong foundation in research, making sure all articles reflect the latest findings in ornithology. In her own writing, she loves deep-diving into bird behavior, offering Nest Box Live followers detailed updates on the nesting activities captured by our live cameras. She also enjoys sharing the marvels of the bird world – from how hummingbirds create their tiny nests to fascinating facts about your backyard feathered friends.

A passionate birdwatcher, wildlife conservationist, and science communicator, India’s journey into ornithology began with a fascination for seabirds. This led her to the University of Exeter, where she gained a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree in Marine Biology.

Through her studies, she developed a deep love for research and, in particular, for translating complex science into engaging and accessible content for the public.

She went on to work as a Species Protection Officer for the Scottish Wildlife Trust, where she monitored and safeguarded osprey nests, one of the UK’s most vulnerable birds of prey.

Much of her work involved observing live-streamed nest cameras, identifying key behaviors and calls to ensure the birds remained undisturbed. She was also responsible for sharing nest updates with the public through blog and social media posts.

India further honed her knowledge and skills as a wildlife guide, where she introduced visitors to the birds of nature reserves. Her time spent in bird hides, helping others spot and identify species, has given her a wide knowledge of the bird world.

Currently, India is based on a remote Cambodian island, working for a not-for-profit wildlife organisation. While the main focus of her role is marine conservation, she has embraced the opportunity to expand her ornithological expertise by collaborating with a terrestrial specialist in her team. She is helping to conduct the first formal survey of the island’s bird species – an exciting project that contributes to the broader understanding of avian biodiversity in the region.

Her encounters with tropical species like bee-eaters and hornbills have further enriched her birdwatching knowledge, adding an international perspective to her field experience.